“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” James 3:14 –15. Jealousy and envy should have no place in the life of a Christian. Today’s blog entry deals with avoiding jealousy/envy.
The accounts given in the Bible of Saul’s jealousy of David, provide a lot of insight of how jealousy can effect a person. Saul was the first King of Israel, however he was disobedient to God, and God ended up rejecting Saul as King (See 1 Samuel 15). David however was obedient to God, he had courage and faith. Saul and the people of Israel were afraid of Goliath, yet David went up against Goliath and killed him (See 1 Samuel 17). Saul became jealous of David and attempted to kill him multiple times. Saul was unable to kill David, God chose David to be king.
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” – James 3:16
When a person allows jealousy and envy in their life, they open themselves to all kinds of trouble. It’s important that we are secure in who we are in Christ. When a person is insecure, they can start paying more attention to what other people think, seeking validation from others. We should understand that God has blessed each and every person with gifts and abilities. Instead of being mad about the gifts/opportunities that other people have, we should be thankful for our relationship with God, and focus on utilizing the gifts that He has blessed us with to carry out His will.
“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men.” – 1 Corinthians 3:3
The word carnal can be defined as fleshly, worldly. As Christians we should not allow our flesh to direct our behavior, we should instead walk by the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:22-25
If a person notices they have an issue with jealousy (or any other sin), they should repent (turn away from it). They should renew their mind with the Word of God, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. As the body of Christ, we should be working with each other to complete our God given assignments. Realize that God has given us the ability to overcome things we battle with in our flesh.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13
The accounts given in the Bible of Saul’s jealousy of David, provide a lot of insight of how jealousy can effect a person. Saul was the first King of Israel, however he was disobedient to God, and God ended up rejecting Saul as King (See 1 Samuel 15). David however was obedient to God, he had courage and faith. Saul and the people of Israel were afraid of Goliath, yet David went up against Goliath and killed him (See 1 Samuel 17). Saul became jealous of David and attempted to kill him multiple times. Saul was unable to kill David, God chose David to be king.
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” – James 3:16
When a person allows jealousy and envy in their life, they open themselves to all kinds of trouble. It’s important that we are secure in who we are in Christ. When a person is insecure, they can start paying more attention to what other people think, seeking validation from others. We should understand that God has blessed each and every person with gifts and abilities. Instead of being mad about the gifts/opportunities that other people have, we should be thankful for our relationship with God, and focus on utilizing the gifts that He has blessed us with to carry out His will.
“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men.” – 1 Corinthians 3:3
The word carnal can be defined as fleshly, worldly. As Christians we should not allow our flesh to direct our behavior, we should instead walk by the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:22-25
If a person notices they have an issue with jealousy (or any other sin), they should repent (turn away from it). They should renew their mind with the Word of God, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. As the body of Christ, we should be working with each other to complete our God given assignments. Realize that God has given us the ability to overcome things we battle with in our flesh.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13